23 May 2018

Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Dikgang Makgalemele has reiterated sentiments expressed by first president, Sir Seretse Khama that a nation needs to preserve its culture and also called for the preservation of the nation’s cultural heritage.

Makgalemele said despite the fact that in this day and age Batswana were living in a changing society where influence from the environment they lived in such as exotic cultures, advanced technology and other factors impacted on their way of life, the history and culture of the country must be preserved and documented.

Makgalemele said this during the commemoration of National Culture Day that was held under the theme: Ngwao ke boikarabelo jwame, meaning culture is my responsibility, at Mmadinare on May 21. He explained that the theme was meant to encourage Batswana to take interest and ownership in safeguarding cultural heritage.

He emphasised the importance of preserving culture and instilling it among the youth of the nation who were the future of the country. He explained that culture was their heritage and identity.

He noted that there were many aspects of culture such as botho, norms and behaviour, interpersonal communication, dress code, food, cultural artifacts and architecture among other things that were important and needed to be preserved.

Makgalemele, who is also Member of Parliament for Shoshong, said his ministry was mandated to facilitate the promotion, preservation and development of culture. He said part of the responsibility was to create an environment in which Batswana could participate in cultural activities such as the National Culture Day celebrations for the development and preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the nation.

The MP also noted that the national Vision 2036 agenda recognised culture as a unique, dynamic and irreplaceable body of values, norms, traditions and languages. He said culture was, therefore, a critical ingredient of nation building and attainment of national unity, peace and prosperity.

He noted that the National Culture Day commemoration had been celebrated in Botswana since 1998 in different districts on a rotational basis. ENDS